Cigar Republic | Cigar Friendly: Fort Lauderdale, FL

There are many cigar lounges in the legendary party city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but there is only one place to really go…and that is Cigar Republic!

Nestled in between 12 great restaurants, not the least of which is the great Italian restaurant Café Martorano, Cigar Republic is a complete cigar experience that offers the patron great food, great spirits and great cigars! It is also a great place to have a smoke and celebrity watch as many well-known folks live in the area and have enjoyed the Republic.

Owner and President of the Republic, Nick Mariani, sits down with me and a couple of Rocky Patel Burns and tells me all about his history as well as the history of the area and the store itself.

President Mariani at his daytime post | Photo: Bruce Busch

Ft. Lauderdale

Known as the “Venice of America” for all of its waterways, this great city is best seen from the water many locals will say. Once everyone comes off the water, be it a boat or on the beach, is when the local businesses become packed with people. It’s 2:30 pm in the afternoon and the place is empty, Nick explains why that is so. “Everyone is on the beach right now, or on their boat. Once they come in and shower and get dressed for the night, this area will be packed!”

Blessed with an eternal ocean breeze, Ft. Lauderdale still stays rather mild even in the dog days of Summer. This, plus beautiful beaches and high-end luxury make this city a magnet for those with the means. The Republic tends to the needs of those folks who are living the good life in South Florida.

Food Worthy of Being the Restaurant Circle

Subpar food is simply not tolerated in this mecca of superb restaurants. Armed with this knowledge, Chancellor of the Republic and daytime bartender, Earl McMillan, brings out 2 of the 3 famed dishes of the limited kitchen within the Republic. I am treated to a Cuban Sandwich and a plate of spare ribs. The rib meat absolutely fell off the bone! They would make a competitive pit master proud! The Cuban Sandwich was perfection! The only competition these two dishes have is each other.

Rocky Patel Signature Lounge

About four years ago, President Mariani wanted to expand this cigar bar that he purchased one year prior. This was after being a regular of the bar since 2002. So he purchased the BBQ joint next door and quickly proceeded to knock down the wall in between them.

While building an impressive lounge area where the restaurant used to be, The cigar giant, Rocky Patel, paid a visit to the Republic. Patel liked what he saw and the direction in which the government of republic was going, so he made the offer for the new addition to become a Rocky Patel signature lounge. So if you are looking for the same vibe one would feel in Rocky’s famous BURN lounges, this province of the Republic would be to your liking!

Photo: Bruce Busch

Governess of the Republic

A visit to the Republic in the PM will include a press conference along the bar with the four lovely governesses of the Republic. Nicole, Brittani, Vanessa and Sterling make for beautiful visuals behind the bar, as well as very talented mixologists that can whip up whatever concoction the patron desires. When they reign, not even the President is allowed behind the bar so that the view is not obstructed.

The Pres can be accessed on the same side of the bar as the villagers so that he can field any questions regarding spirits or smoke. When times in the Republic become especially festive, the governesses as well as some lovely patrons are known to dance on the bar! Due to this development, a motion was set forth to move the hanging lights further away from the bar so that people do not hang from them. With the president’s approval, this became a reality. May the Republic dance party live on!

Moving to Ft Lauderdale?

First Lady of the Republic, Annette Mariani, runs the real estate office next door as well as a tremendous bakery that also falls under the umbrella of the Republic. So if you’re looking to become an expat, but not leave the lower 48, consider this land of sun, sand, leaf, spirits and baked goods. The administration is friendly and accommodating and the citizens are joyous! Whether a move or just a visit to Ft. Lauderdale is in your future, a passport stamp from The Cigar Republic is a must!

Cigar Republic

Bruce's love for the leaf quickly became his passion after visiting cigar factories and tobacco fields in Honduras. After participating in the blending and selection processes for many cigar blends over the last 10 years, Bruce became a proofreader for Cigar Journal and has been for the past 3 years. He received his Master's in Foreign Language Education from the University of South Florida and has been teaching German and Spanish for over 15 years. Besides his passion for cigars, Bruce's interests include traveling the world and coaching soccer. He lives in Florida with his wife and 2 children.